1. The enclosed address sent to JA read as follows:

To the President of the United States of America
The Respectful Address of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York

Sir

Persuaded that it was the Duty and Interest of the United States to preserve and cultivate Peace and a good Understanding with all Nations, we unanimously approve of the Measures you have taken for that purpose with respect to France.

The manner in which our Ministers of Peace and Conciliation have been treated and rejected by that Republic, we consider as an Infraction of the Laws and Usages of civilized Nations, and as a violation of that equality of Sovereign Rights which ought to subsist and be maintained between them. The Indignity offered to our Nation by that Treatment is greatly aggravated by Pecuniary Requisitions. On these Topics we cannot reflect without Surprise and Indignation. When to these Considerations are added, those extensive Depredations on our Commerce which no amicable Overtures for Accomodation, could induce the Directory to forbear or suspend, we think our Situation relative to that Republic so serious, as to render a general Expression of the Public Sentiment indispensible.

Being a free and independent People, we are determined to remain so. The Constitution of the United States is the deliberate work and free choice of the People, and we will at every Hazard maintain it. The Government of the United States results from the Constitution, and being Administered by Men, constitutionally chosen and appointed, shall, in all its constitutional and legal proceedings, receive our decided support. And whatever Differences of Opinion may have existed among us on local Questions, on these great Points, we neither are nor will be, a divided People; but on the contrary, it is our unanimous Resolution, at the risk of our Lives and Fortunes, to maintain and defend our National Honor Rights and Independence, against the French Republic and every other Nation and Power.

We are convinced of the necessity of Union among ourselves, and shall regard those as unworthy, who at this momentous juncture of our Affairs shall attempt to disseminate Discord among the People, who while united, are able to repel the Attacks of any Enemy that may dare towards our Country.

This State, Sir, will in every Event, and to every Extent, bear her full proportion of the National Burthens, in full Confidence, that due Attention will be paid to the strong claims she holds in the National Defence and Protection.

We cannot on this Occasion omit expressing the Satisfaction we derive from the fresh instance of great and disinterested Patriotism which your illustrious Predecessor has manifested. He has been, and may he long continue to be, the Instrument of great good, and the example of great virtue to his fellow Citizens. You also have strong and well founded Claims to the Gratitude of our Country. May a kind Providence enable you to add to them by such Councils and measures as will speedily secure the Blessings of Honorable Peace to our Nation, and to yourself the Honor and Satisfaction of having wisely and successfully fulfilled the Duties of your exalted and important Station.

By order and on behalf of the Senate.
Stephen Van Rensselaer
President

In Senate August 17th. 1798

In Assembly August 20th. 1798

By order and on behalf of the Assembly
Dirck Ten Broeck
Speaker—

D, MHi: Adams. PtD, Albany Gazette, 24 Aug. 1798; reprinted, Commercial Advertiser (New York), 28 Aug.; New-York Gazette, 28 Aug.; Albany Centinel, 28 Aug.; Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 28 Aug; Greenleaf’s New York Journal, 29 Aug.; Argus, Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser and Spectator (both New York), 29 Aug.; Telegraphe and Daily Advertiser (Baltimore), 31 Aug.; Whites-tone Gazette (Utica), 3 Sept.; Russell’s Gazette (Boston), 3 Sept.; Connecticut Journal (New Haven), 5 Sept.; Connecticut Gazette (New London), 5 Sept.; Berkshire Gazette (Pittsfield), 12 Sept.; Impartial Herald (Suffield, Conn.), 18 Sept. 1798. N.Y. Assembly Journal, 22nd sess. (August 1798) description begins [New York State], Journal of the Assembly of the state of New-York; at their twenty-second session, began and held at the city of Albany, the ninth day of August, 1798 (Albany, [1798]; Early Am. Imprints, series 1, no. 34212) description ends , 20–21; N.Y. Senate Journal, 22nd sess. (August 1798) description begins [New York State], Journal of the Senate of the state of New-York; at their twenty-second session, began and held at the city of Albany, the ninth day of August, 1798 (Albany, [1798]; Early Am. Imprints, series 1, no. 34213) description ends , 16. NYGM description begins State of New York, Messages from the Governors comprising Executive Communications to the Legislature and other Papers relating to Legislation from the Organization of the First Colonial Assembly in 1683 to and including the Year 1906 vol. 2 1777–1822 (Albany, 1909) description ends , 2: 445–46; HPJ description begins Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay (4 vols.; New York, 1890–93) description ends , 4: 248–49.

JA responded to the New York state legislature with the following:

GENTLEMEN,

I have received your unanimous address. If an address of so much dignity and authority could have received any additions from the channel of conveyance, you have chosen that which is nearest to my heart, in his Excellency John Jay the Governor of the state of New-York, of whose purity, patriotism fortitude, independence and profound wisdom I have been a witness for a long course of years. The position in the Union of the great and growing state of New-York, its incalculable advantages in agriculture, as well as commerce, renders this unanimous act of the two houses of its legislature, one of the most important events of the present year.

With the most sincere respect and cordial satisfaction, Gentlemen, I congratulate you on the decided appearance in America, of a solid national character. From the Mississippi to the St. Croix, unquestionable proofs have been given of national feelings, national principles, and national system. This is all that was wanting to establish the power of the American people, and insure the respect and justice of other nations. For all that is personal to myself, I pray you to accept my best thanks. I never have had, and I never shall have, any claims on the gratitude of my country. If I have done my duty to them, and they are convinced of it, this is all that I have desired or shall desire.

The strong claims which your state holds in the national defense and protection will have every attention that depends on me.

I thank you for the expression of the satisfaction you derive from the fresh instance of great and disinterested patriotism which my illustrious predecessor has manifested. May he long continue to be, as he ever has been, the instrument of great good, and the example of great virtue to his fellow-citizens; the last act of his political life, in accepting his appointment, will be recorded in history as one of the most brilliant examples of public virtue, that ever was exhibited among mankind.

JOHN ADAMS.

Quincy, August 31, 1798.

PtD, Spectator (New York), 9 Jan.; reprinted, Federal Gazette (Baltimore), 12 Jan.; Columbian Centinel (Boston), 19 Jan.; Eastern Herald (Portland), 28 Jan. 1799; N.Y. Senate Journal, 22nd sess., 2nd meeting (1799) description begins [New York State], Journal of the Senate of the state of New-York; at their twenty-second session, second meeting, began and held at the city of Albany, the second day of January, 1799 (Albany, [1799]; Early Am. Imprints, series 1, no. 35925) description ends , 4; N.Y. Assembly Journal, 22nd sess., 2nd meeting (1799) description begins [New York State], Journal of the Assembly of the state of New-York; at their twenty-second session, second meeting, begun and held at the city of Albany, the second day of January, 1799 (Albany, [1799]; Early Am. Imprints, series 1, no. 35924) description ends , 8; NYGM description begins State of New York, Messages from the Governors comprising Executive Communications to the Legislature and other Papers relating to Legislation from the Organization of the First Colonial Assembly in 1683 to and including the Year 1906 vol. 2 1777–1822 (Albany, 1909) description ends , 2: 446–47.

2. JJ did not include the phrase “this and” in the draft version.